my newborns cord stump has gone infected ,can anyone advise me on what i can do naturally to heal it?

Question

my baby is four days old and his cord stump has become infected.any ideas on what i can use instead of immediately going down the anti biotic route would be much welcomed. it is red ,swollen and smells infected,this has happened within the last couple of hours

Answer 1

If he were my child I would call a medical professional. I am not keen on overdosing with anti-biotics either but your baby is SO new and fighting infection is a lot of work for a little body.

From Dr. Sears:

UMBILICAL CORD / BELLY BUTTON

Most first-time parents are understandably worried when they notice bleeding or discharge from their newborn’s belly button. Here is a little guide to help you understand when this is normal and when you need to call your doctor.

A brand new recommendation in 2006 is that you no longer need to put alcohol on the umbilical cord. A research study found that it really isn’t necessary.
BLEEDING

Most newborns will have some oozing of blood from the belly button before and especially after the cord falls off. This can either occur right away, or may not appear until a week or more after the cord comes off. It is especially common if the cord comes off within the first week of life from accidental tugging. The blood is usually first noticed during a diaper change when you find some blood on the diaper or T-shirt. This mild oozing of blood can go on for one or two weeks, so don’t worry. You may even see blood with every diaper change. You can also pack some gauze over the belly button under the diaper.

THIS SMALL AMOUNT OF BLEEDING IS NORMAL AND IS NO CAUSE FOR WORRY.
WHEN TO WORRY

If you see active dripping or pooling of blood that reappears immediately after wiping it away, then you should pack several pieces of gauze over the belly button. If you do not have gauze, use a baby washcloth or toilet paper. Keep the gauze firmly pressed against the belly button under the diaper, and snap a tight outfit onto baby. Wrap him up snugly in a blanket and wait for 15 minutes. Undress him and carefully check for continued active oozing or dripping. If it is stopped, then keep a close eye on it, and keep gauze packed on it for another day. Carefully check once an hour, even overnight. You will see some blood drying on the gauze. There is no need to call your doctor.

If the active dripping or oozing continues after the 15 minutes, then you should call your doctor right away.
DRAINAGE OR DISCHARGE

Virtually every belly button will have some yellow or green drainage, both before and after it falls off. It may look like pus, but it is really just mucus. You may notice some on baby’s T-shirt or diaper with every diaper change. This may go on for one or two weeks, so don’t worry. The drainage will eventually stop. For excessive oozing, your doctor can help dry up the cord by applying silver nitrate in the office. This is rarely necessary.

WHEN TO WORRY

The only time you need to worry is when the cord has become infected. Here is how to tell:

* The drainage has a very foul odor
* The skin around the cord has become very red and maybe swollen
* Baby may or may not have a fever

Call your doctor during regular business hours if you suspect this (there is no need to wake the doctor in the middle of the night, unless there is a fever over 101).

Answer 2

Bless. This happened to my little one. Talk to the midwife and they will be able to get an antiseptic dusting powder prescribed. They used to use this in the old days to make the cord heal quicker and it basically just keeps it clean and dries it out. Don't worry - my daughter has a beautiful "inny" now and although its horrible at the time it really doesn't worry them. Just make sure you keep the nappy folded down a bit so it doesn't irritate and get as much air to it as possible. Good luck and congrats on your baby x

Answer 3

However naturally you want to do everything, I really would advise you to see the doctor (or midwife at least) about this. When we are a bit older, we've usually built up a bit of immunity to infection, but with such a young baby I really think you need to follow the advice of a medical professional.

Answer 4

How do you know it's infected?

He's only 4 days old...they look pretty disgusting & smelly and red when they are perfectly healthy..how can you tell it's infected??

I would just advise that you seek medical attention, the doctor can put this stuff on it ( I can't remember what it's called) that dries it out...other than that...keep it dry and monitor baby's behavior...check for fever and change in stool and eating habits.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

I would clean it with cool boiled water and cotton wool, dry it thoroughly and let the air get to it i.e. loose nappy and clothing this is what I did when my little girls got infected it soon cleared up.I would have a chat with your midwife just to be on the safe side. Good luck.

Answer 7

I would recommend witch-hazel, it is very good for drawing out infection, and gentle enough to use on baby's delicate skin. I would apply it three times a day. You can buy it at any drug or grocery store. Hope all goes well, and you can skip the antibiotics.

Answer 8

my daughter had this, I bathed it with warm salt water(using cooled boiled water) and cotton buds at every nappy change and it cleared up in 3/4 days. The effects started to show after the first day so if you see no improvement you should definitely speak to your midwife.

Answer 9

hi honey, best thing to do is bathe it in cooled down boiled water with cotton wool to keep it clean and fresh. Might be worth a quick chat bout it with the midwife tho...... good luck sweetie hope it clears up soon xx

Answer 10

this happened to my niece the midwife will tell u what to for the best but til u see her boiled water cooled down with a little salt in it and dab it round the cord with a cotton wool pad or bud